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Research Methods in the Study of L2 Writing Processes
Edited by Rosa M. Manchón and Julio Roca de Larios
[Research Methods in Applied Linguistics 5] 2023
► pp. 202–223

Chapter 10
Exploring the generation, development, and integration of argumentative goals in L1 and L2 composition processes

Methodological considerations

| University of Murcia

The main purpose of this chapter is to critically examine a number of methodological issues related to the analysis of L1 and L2 writing processes from a genre-based perspective – a domain of inquiry that has remained largely underdeveloped in the L2 writing research agenda. I discuss the range of theoretical assumptions and empirical considerations that led me to become involved in the research, describe the most relevant methodological challenges faced when attempting to trace the generation, elaboration, and integration of writers’ argumentative goals across languages, and illustrate the decisions I made at these three stages. I finally evaluate the significance of the analytical categories and procedures previously discussed and suggest avenues for further research.

Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Overview of the research programme: Rationale, aims, and methods
  • Methodological decisions, challenges, and solutions
    • A taxonomy of argumentative moves
    • Coding the initial representation of the task
    • Identification of goal networks throughout the composition: Temporal and hierarchical dimensions
    • Integration of conflicting goals
  • Methodological conclusions and implications for future studies
  • References
Published online: 23 October 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.5.10roc
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